(Southfield, MI) – Concordia softball traveled to Lawrence Tech on Saturday afternoon to begin WHAC conference play. The Cardinals entered the contest 12-11 overall while the Blue Devils featured a 7-6 record on the year. CUAA suffered a close loss in game 1 despite an outstanding pitching performance from Lauren Reichel, but the Cardinals earned a split with an 8-7 win in game 2.
Game 1 – LTU 6, CUAA 5
Lauren Reichel started game 1 on the mound for the Cardinals, racking up an impressive 13 total strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Concordia opened scoring in the top of the 1st when Shannon McAlinden hit a single to center field scoring Koryn Playford. Lauren Reichel recorded 10 strikeouts through the first 4 innings, holding the Blue Devils scoreless.
The Cardinals extended their lead in the top of the 5th when a 3-run homer from Koryn Playford brought home Abbie Begley and Jada Stephenson. However, Lawrence Tech broke the shutout in the bottom of the 5th with 4 runs to tie the game.
In the top of the 7th inning, Shannon McAlinden was able to reach home on an error after a fielder's choice. However, the Blue Devils were able to score 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th to claim a close win.
Game 2 – CUAA 8, LTU 7
Cassidy Kane started at pitcher in game 2. Lawrence Tech struck first with a run in the bottom of the 1st inning. The Cardinals answered in the top of the 2nd when Carly Pearson hit a 2-RBI single to score Jada Stephenson and Sarah Tyrell. The Blue Devils tied the game 2-2 with a run in the bottom half of the inning.
Jada Stephenson hit a ground-rule double in the top of the 3rd to drive in Shannon McAlinden. Lawrence Tech answered with a homer in the bottom of the 3rd to tie the game again. Shannon McAlinden used a 2-RBI double in the 4th to score Koryn Playford and Abbie Begley for a 5-3 advantage.
Kate Elias came on to pitch in the bottom of the 4th. Lawrence Tech once again tied the game with 2 runs to make the score 5-5. In the top of the 5th, Jada Stephenson broke the tie with a run off a Blue Devil error. Abbie Begley extended the lead with an RBI groundout to drive in Payton Hernandez.
Koryn Playford drove in Carly Pearson with an RBI single in the top of the 7th for an 8-5 lead. The Cardinals would once again have to survive a Lawrence Tech rally with the Blue Devils plating 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th. However, the CUAA defense held and the team claimed a split on the day with an 8-7 win.
Concordia will hold their home opener tomorrow when they host Rochester for a WHAC conference double header. First pitch is set for 1pm.
